The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Danjuma Mohammed, a former project coordinator at the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Prince Chibuike Echem, an Abuja socialite, over an alleged N2.28 billion contract fraud.
The duo, alongside Aminu Alhaji, who is currently at large, faced a 54-count amended charge at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday. Both Mohammed and Echem pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mohammed had previously served as the national coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) at the NEDC.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants conspired to defraud Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, the managing director of Diamond Leeds Limited.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants obtained N2.28 billion from Ifekudu and his company through false pretences.
The charges specify that Mohammed, Echem, and Alhaji (who is still at large) obtained the sum of N573.5 million from Ifekudu between January and December 2023.
The defendants allegedly used the pretence of awarding contracts through the MCRP under the NEDC, although they knew the claims to be false.
The EFCC’s case further claims that the funds were transferred via Prince Chibuike Echem’s Wema Bank account.
After the defendants entered their plea, EFCC counsel Adeola Olarenwaju requested a trial date and asked for the defendants to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the trial.
In response, Chukwuka Obidike, the defendant’s lawyer, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed.
However, Olarenwaju opposed the request, stating that he had only received the motion the previous evening and needed time to respond.
In his ruling, Judge K. N. Ogbonnaya ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until March 25 to allow time for the EFCC to file a counter-affidavit in response to the bail application.
The trial continues as the EFCC works to prove its case against the defendants.
